“… the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ; only He can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity.”
Catechesi Tradendae – St. John Paul II
There are many different ways to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ so that we may fully answer God’s invitation to be His disciples. Each is appropriate to different stages in our lives.
For children and teens we offer continuous formation from the age of six or seven until the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation (from the age of sixteen).
For those seeking to explore becoming Catholic we offer RCIA for both adults and youth.
Wherever you are on your Journey of Faith we hope that you will embrace the opportunity to come to know Jesus Christ more intimately.
1. Bible
The source of catechesis is the Word of God. The Bible is the source of divine truth and revelation. It is the living source for catechesis and acts as the life-long source of strength and nourishment for both catechists and those who are catechized. The catechists receive and pass down the truths that are encountered in the Bible.
2. Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a concise explanation of Catholic beliefs. It is a clear, systematic, and comprehensive presentation of the essentials of the Christian faith. It is intended primarily to explain the teachings of the Catholic faith and thus serves as a teaching tool. We catechists rely on it and use it as a resource for teaching materials, thus ensuring that what we transmit is in accordance with the Catholic Church.
3. Candle
Throughout Church history, the candle has represented Christ – the perfect candle and the Light of the World. As you know, the practice of lighting candles is an important tradition in Catholic churches, communities, and families. Candles are a familiar sight in our classrooms and act as a symbol to remind us of Christ who said, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have light and life.” (John 8:12)
4. Holy Communion
The Sacrament of Holy Communion is the nourishment for our souls. Thus, by receiving Holy Communion catechists teach their classes of its central nature in Catholics’ lives and reinforce the commitment to deepen their own spiritual journeys that they may be enabled to transmit effectively the faith which they live.
5. Catechists and Learner Manuals
In many of the classrooms the children have learner manuals. This is because catechists follow a syllabus where each class has designated topics to cover, so that each class can enable the next class. The manuals remain in class and are handed to the learner at the end of the year, together with other teaching aids that may have been used during the year.